3.22 Change is afoot

I was reeeeeeally bummed as we ate last night. Despite Dad saying everything was fine, I still felt like I had violated Jasmine and Maira in some way. And as someone who was perpetually confused, I didn’t want to pass that onto them. I didn’t want to talk about it, but Dad had a gentle way of making me comfortable enough to lay down my burdens. We discussed my concerns, and he apologized for maybe not explaining himself well and making me feel that way. After explaining his points further, I understood what he meant and felt better. It wasn’t about me needing to keep my hands to myself and stop being nice. It was about knowing what I’m up against when dealing with female friends, and also sometimes being nice came at a cost.

He was a fountain of wisdom, and I had so much more to learn. And, clearly, because I have female friends, I’d need his advice a lot more in the future. In light of that and how much I miss him sometimes, I woke up with a terrific idea I couldn’t wait to share with Mama. It was very possible she wouldn’t like it, but it was what I needed to do to become the man she wanted me to be—not that any of it was about her.

I got up, dressed, and found her also emerging from her room with a serious look on her face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She sighed.

“Oh, nothing. Tofu’s getting old.”

“Oh…”

How did I miss that? I thought she was just moping around the house because she missed Less or something. But thinking about it, she was a little slower during our jogs, and I had to stop here and there for her to catch up.

“Did you need me?” she asked.

“Uhhhh…”

I suddenly felt like it wasn’t the right time. It could wait, right?

“Luca?”

“You, uhhh, you look nice today, heh.”

She laughed. In my face! Rude.

“Nice try, buddy. Now, why don’t you tell me what it is you really want?”

Busted. I should have known she wouldn’t fall for that. Time to fess up, I guess.

“I, ummm… Well…”

“Luca,” she said in that mom tone.

“Okay! Okay! Here goes… I want to live with Dad now.”

She blinked a few times.

“Are you asking me or telling me?”

“Ehhh…telling?”

“Okay,” she said.

“Okay?”

“What, Luca? You’re a grown man. You don’t need my permission to move out. And… Well, your dad’s birthday is very soon. It’s good he won’t be alone.”

“So…you’re good?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I dunno. You look…not happy.”

“When all of your children leave home in the same week, you come talk to me about how you feel.”

She walked away. I hoped I hadn’t offended her or anything. I didn’t have time to think about her feelings because I had to get over to Evergreen Harbor and present my idea to Dad. He could also hate the idea because he didn’t like us worrying about him, but I would do my best to convince him.

He answered the door with a puzzled expression.

“Luca? Is everything okay?”

“Of course,” I said excitedly, pushing past him.

He looked at his non-existent watch.

“It’s 8:30…on a Saturday. You sure you’re not sick?”

“Ha ha,” I said flatly, pulling him in for a hug. “Good morning to you, too.”

“But seriously…what’s happening? Everything okay at home?”

“Yeah. I just, uhhh, I have a proposal to run by you. I was too excited to wait ’til later.”

“Oh my,” he said. “This must be some proposal to get you out this early on a Saturday.”

“Yeah… So, like, ummmm…I feel like there’s so much I don’t know and you’re here by yourself and I need to get my life on track and…”

I was rambling and had no idea what I was saying. Dad looked like he didn’t know either, so I paused, took a breath, and gathered my thoughts.

“Can I start over?”

“Please do.”

“Okay… Can I live with you? I promise it’s not because I’m worried about you or anything. I just feel like… Well, I just need so much advice right now. And Mama has someone. She’ll be fine. But you don’t have anyone. I don’t want you to be alone.”

“Old people live alone all the time, Luca,” he said in a mildly terse manner.

“I know! But… Okay, honestly, this is more about me than it is you. But I really don’t want you to be alone. Are you mad?”

“Of course not, son. I don’t hate the idea. Are you sure this is what you want? Having an old man for a roommate?”

“I like spending time with you, Dad.”

He smiled, finally.

“Fine. But let’s get one thing straight. You’re still my child. I don’t want you giving me money for bills and stuff. Keep your money. One day you’ll get your own place, and you’re going to need all the funds you can get.”

“How about a counteroffer?”

“I’m listening.”

“Let me furnish my room.”

He smiled again.

“Deal.”

“Yes! This is gonna be so fun!”

“I’m glad you think so. You actually came at a good time,” he said.

“Yeah? What’s going on?”

“I was on my way to go look at some properties. Wanna come?”

“Heck yeah!”